---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 11:31:04 -0500
From: Scott Wicks <sbw2@CORNELL.EDU>
Subject: Re: Mail handling in serials

Like many others, Cornell has issued guidelines for mail handling.  We have
made gloves available to staff and discussed the steps to take when
encountering suspect mail.

Yesterday we had an incident with something called "press powder."  At
least one publisher (and I'm sure there are others, too) uses this powder
to prevent pages from sticking together and the wrapper from adhering to
the cover while in transit.  Usually the amount is so minimal that one does
not see it.  Yesterday we SAW it and had a nice test run of our "what to
do" procedures.

I thought that you might like to be aware of this powder, not that you
shouldn't take every precaution, but to consider this factor for your local
"Health Safety" crisis responders to investigate while you all sit around
in quarantine wondering why you didn't think ahead to be sure you had food
at your desk to endure just such an event.

When we contacted the publisher, we learned that they had received similar
queries over the past several weeks.  Maybe they will change their policy.

--Scott